You’ve likely heard people described “as thick as thieves.” It’s an idiom (a phrase with a meaning the words don’t tell you). While this isn’t necessarily a negative saying, it can bring some negative meanings, so it is important to know when it truly applies… continue reading
What Does “Throw My Hat in the Ring” Mean?
When it comes to a challenge, you may have heard someone say they are going to “throw their hat into the ring.” There has to be more to this casual phrase you heard on a Monday or Tuesday night, right? Or, are people talking about tossing… continue reading
Cavalry vs Calvary: Which is the Correct Term?
Let’s have a look at a confusing pair of words: cavalry vs. calvary. First the quick answer: Cavalry refers to horseback mounted troops Calvary describes the place surrounding Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was famously crucified Now let’s look under the hood. You may have seen… continue reading
Drier vs Dryer: What’s the Difference?
As with most words pronounced the same, “drier” and “dryer” are two homophones that cause much confusion for English writers. A “homophone” is a term that refers to words that have the same pronunciation yet different spellings. These words are especially tricky to use in English writing,… continue reading
What’s the Difference Between Immolate and Emulate?
Why Are These Words So Tricky? There are many instances in which multiple words may be tricky to distinguish from each other. For instance, they may have similar spellings, pronunciations, or meanings. Some word pairs are so tricky that they have all of those in… continue reading
How To Write an Office Moving Checklist
Moving an office is among the most complex and time-consuming tasks any business can undertake. To ensure a smooth process and avoid costly mistakes, planning and organizing the entire event carefully is vital. One of the best ways to move office hassle-free and with little… continue reading
Soar vs Sore: What’s the Difference
Have you ever seen an eagle “sore?” Or should it be “soar?” You see, this is the issue that many writers face when trying to use these two words. They sound similar, have the same pronunciation, but have different meanings (also known as homophones), making them difficult… continue reading
False finality: At the end of the day, let’s retire “At the end of the day”
Man is a creature who lives not upon bread alone, but primarily by catchwords. Robert Louis Stevenson The end of the day Followed by another day. Not really the end. Zen haiku WARNING: Reading this article may result in heightened linguistic awareness accompanied by… continue reading
Don’t Be the Butt of the Joke — Learn What This Expression Means!
Have you found yourself the butt of the joke for not knowing this idiom? Let’s dive in. The person addressed as the “butt of the joke” is a target for mocking, teasing, or other ridicule. An idiomatic expression is a phrase in which the words… continue reading
Hoping We Avoid “the Seven-Year Itch”
What is the meaning of the common expression “the seven-year itch?” Generally speaking, this refers to the notion that things go stale after seven years, particularly in relationships. However, the expression can be used metaphorically to describe other various situations. Where did this expression come… continue reading